You will need to sign on with your LLLID (La Leche League ID) before you can post. If you have never claimed your LLLID, create your LLLID now. To sign in, click the LLLID Sign On button in the upper right corner. Enter your LLLID Alias and click the button again.

Started too early!

My DH and I are on the same page about waiting on starting solids until at least 6 months. However, my DD is just past 5 months and in the 93rd percentile all around, she's sitting up, grasping for toys and playing with them, and doing very well all around. Recently, she's discovered napkins while we're eating. She fusses if we don't give her one. We thought it was cute because she'd play with it, but now she's basically eating it. So, because of her coordinating, we wanted her to "try" a little banana in one of those mesh teething rings. Well, we gave her one once and she was just kinda licking it. The next morning we gave it to her again she was seriously sucking the banana out of the mesh bag! Now I'm sitting back thinking, 'I was going to wait until Thanksgiving to start and now I've done it.' Huge, major guilt.

I bought rice cereal today and have no intention on starting her on it until Thanksgiving, like I said. I figure if we're ready to start her, we'll feed her frozen BM slushee to practice with the spoon maybe on the weekends. Is it OK to keep giving her banana in the mesh bag maybe 5 times a week until we "officially" start? I figure tasting a banana would be better than a napkin. Is that OK? Am I bad mommy?

Mama to baby Sunshine, May 14, 2009
Successfully BFed until DD was 14 months old (while I was pregnant) and she decided she didn't like the taste of the milk anymore.

New mama to my Earth baby boy, January 31, 2011. Going for at least another 14 months or more!

Re: Started too early!

I don't know about the solids stuff. We aren't starting until Thanksgiving too. BUT what I do know is ...You are NOT a bad mommy!

I'm Colleen
Mama to
Silas born May 2009 ~ Nursed 18 mos, weaned during pregnancy, unweaned at 24 months, still nursing when he feels like it
Lola born March 2011 ~ The Mary Lou Retton of toddler nursing
Married to Brandon
Using cloth on both bums

Re: Started too early!

I wouldn't go an feed your LO and entire meal at this age but she seems like her coordination is pretty good...
Playing with a little food here or there will help her along...
I agree with fitmama, No harm in experimenting....

We've made it 1 YEAR

A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three. ~Grantly Dick-Read

Re: Started too early!

If you go ahead with the breastmilk slushies in the mesh feeder, she will think she's eating food too - and then you don't have to worry about the solids taking place of your milk in her tummy.

Missed this in your post...
I agree with this totally....Great start!

We've made it 1 YEAR

A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three. ~Grantly Dick-Read

Re: Started too early!

Thank you so much for the support and great ideas.

However, on a related side-note, she is doing worse about sleeping. She slept through starting at 5 weeks, but gradually she's waking up every 1 to 3 hours at night to feed. All these mamas say to start her on solids and she'll start sleeping through. Is there truth to this? I've heard otherwise.

Also, how do you make breastmilk slushies? Just BM in an ice cube tray, but isn't it too hard?

Also, what are less constipating first fruits and veggies?

Mama to baby Sunshine, May 14, 2009
Successfully BFed until DD was 14 months old (while I was pregnant) and she decided she didn't like the taste of the milk anymore.

New mama to my Earth baby boy, January 31, 2011. Going for at least another 14 months or more!